Device for aiding the heabing



Dec. 22,1925. 1,566,731

` c. cARRoL DEVICE POR AIDING TH HEARINGV' FledApz-il 21, 1923 HTOIMEYS l Patented Dec. 22, 192,5.

UNITED STATES;

PATENT( oFFlcs..

CHARLES CARROLL, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DEVICE FOR AIDING THE HEARING.

Application filed April 21, 1923. Serial No. 633,770. i

devices for aiding the hearing, and it con` sists in the combinations, constructions, and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described by means of which a person normally deaf, may be treated so that that person may hear for the duration of the treatment.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device ofthe character described in which the patient may entirely relax during the treatment, and thereby assist ma terially in the functioning of the device. It is well known that when a person is lying in a prostrate position on a couch or bed, a relaxation may be complete.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described which is simple in construction, is durable, and which is thoroughly practical for the purpose intended.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of an embodiment of my invention, partly in section, and

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the mechal nism illustrated in Figure 1, partly in secposed at each end of the rollers 3 into sockets 5 provided in the frame 1.

A second frame 6 substantially the same size as the frame 1 and arranged to overlie the frame 1, is also provided with a plu-V rality of rollers 3, one for each of the rollers 3 on-the-frame 1. These rollers 3 are arranged to lie substantially between the.

rollers 3 in the manner shown in Figure 1.

The rollers 3( are rotatably supported upon the fra-me G by means of stub shafts Ll in serted in sockets 5 of the frame 6.

Thefranie '6 is therefore supported upon the frame 1 through theirollers 3 and 3, there being a Aspace indicated at 7 vbetween the two frames. The outermost of the rollers 3 Figure 2) is provided with a pulley wheel S mounted upon an extended portion 9 of its Yadjacent stub shaft 4. A fractional (seev horsepower electric motor 10 is supported beneath the frame 1, and a belt 11 is'employed to operatively connect the pulley 12 with the motor 10 andwith the pulley 8 so thatwhen the mot-or is operated, the roller 3', with which the pulley 8 is associated, will rotate in the direction of the arrow 13.

Suitable upholstery 14 is carried upon the upper edge of the frame 6 and springs 15 are employed to render the upholstery more comfortable to aV person lying thereupon. It should be noted at this time, however, that an ordinary mattress could be placed directly upon the frame 6 if it is not the desire of the user to have the device constructed after the fashion of a couch. From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood.' In using my device, the personfaliiicted will lie upon ythe* upholstered portion 15 and the electric motor 10 will be placed in operation by a suitable switch connected to a source of current (not shown). As the motor 10 operates, the beltv 11 will be driven, causing the pulley 8 to turn and with it, the roller 3, with which the pulley is associated. The roller 3 will turn in the direction of the arrow 13, and since it is in frictional contact with the adjacent roller 3, the roller 3 will be driven also in the direction of the arrow 16. This roller 3 is in frictional contact with another of the rollers 3 (see Figure 1), which roller will be driven in the direction of the arrow 13 and cause the adjacent and next roller 3 to rotate. j

This driving operation will be repeated and all of the rollers 3 and the rollers 3 will rotate in the direction of the arrows 16 and 13, respectively.

As the rollers 3 and 3 rotate upon their respective frames 1 and 6, a vibratory moveja manner as to cause the bones and tyinpanum ot the ear to move and to permit these organs to function in the reception Ot sound Waves so that the person Who nornially may not hear sounds, may hear.

It is Well lnownvthat in'ceses of deafness due topa loose tympanum or to the improper lodgrnent of the bones 4of the ear, that vibration of these arts will restore the hearlng for the duration ot such vibration. I shall not attempt to expound in detail the principles of this'phenonienon except to say that experiment has proven 'that extraneous `torce which serves to cause vibration et the parts named, tends to restore :tor the time the hearing or the person normally dear', in cases Where deafness is due to affliction', snchas loosening ot' the tyinpanuin .0r the dislodgrnent .of the bones in the ear.

if claim: y

l. A device yfor aiding the hearing coniprising a plurality ot normally contacting rollers having their axesv parallel and arranged in Vstaggered relation toV one an,-

other, one of said rollers being driven, said f portingv ira-inev forv rotatably supporting` every second of Ysaid rollers thereon, and a second traine rotatably-supporting the remaining rolle rs,including the driven roller,

said second nnniedY frame having' upholstery thereon `so that a person may lie on the frame.

2. A device Yler Vaiding the hearing com-- prising a plurality of normally contacting rollers having their .axes parallel and arranged in staggeredrelation to one another, one et Said roller being driven, said driven roller being arranged to drive the adjacent relier, and that roller in turn its adjacentroller,v nntil movement is imparted to the tnrthermest roller, av stationary' supportin0V treme for rotatably supporting cveryseconzd of said rollers thereon, anda second.V frame rotatably 'supporting the remaining rollers, said second named frame having upholstery thereon lso that .,a. persen may lie on th traine. v Y

CHARLESv CARROLL. 

